Disposition
Understand disposition in Canadian real estate - what it means, when it happens, and how it affects ownership, taxes, and estate planning.
June 06, 2025
What is a Disposition?
Disposition in real estate refers to the sale, transfer, or disposal of a property or asset by the owner, whether voluntarily or through legal or financial obligation.
Why Dispositions Matter in Real Estate
In Canadian real estate, disposition is a key event that can trigger capital gains tax and mark the end of property ownership.
Disposition includes:
- Selling a property
- Gifting or transferring to a family member
- Foreclosure or expropriation
- Change in use from personal to rental or vice versa
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) requires that any disposition of property be reported, with capital gains calculated using the adjusted cost base.
Understanding disposition is essential for estate planning, tax reporting, and assessing legal or financial impacts of property sales.
Example of a Disposition in Action
When a homeowner sells a vacation property, it is considered a disposition, and they must report the capital gain to the CRA.
Key Takeaways
- Occurs when property is sold or transferred
- Can be voluntary or court-mandated
- Triggers capital gains tax for non-principal residences
- Must be reported to the CRA
- Relevant for sales, gifts, and estate plans
Related Terms
- Adjusted Cost Base
- Capital Gains Tax
- Legal Title
- Transfer of Ownership
- Estate Planning


Canada residential unit sales by month, actual, 2019 and 2024-2026. Data through June 2026. Source:
Canada residential sales-to-new-listings ratio, actual, January 2025 to June 2026. Source:
Canada residential months of inventory, actual, January 2025 to June 2026. Source: Source:
Year-over-year change in residential average sale price for Canada, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, January 2022 to June 2026. Average price is shown here as a regional mix measure, not a substitute for HPI or local comparable sales. Source:
Year-over-year change in residential unit sales for Canada, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, January 2024 to June 2026. Source: 






15284-15296 Fleetwood Drive in Surrey. (Flat Architecture, 1098261 BC Ltd.)
Renderings of the tower proposed for 15284-15296 Fleetwood Drive in Surrey. (Flat Architecture, 1098261 BC Ltd.)

Goldberg Group 
10-storey apartment building currently occupying 525 Eglinton Avenue East/WND Associates
Rendering of 525 Eglinton Avenue East/Wallman Architects
The Mayfair West site and its surrounding context. (Grosvenor, Arcadis, Hariri Pontarini Architects)
Renderings of Mayfair West. (Grosvenor, Arcadis, Hariri Pontarini Architects)
